Getting Off of Omeprazole: Share your success stories please.

I am new to this drug and I have read that it's not good to be on for a long period of time but it seems like some of you have been on it for a long time. I have enjoyed not having heart burn but it seems like I have more gas and pains with this medicine. I am currently taking the 40mg once a day and I'm trying this week to cut back to every other day. Do you guys have more gas with this medicine? I just started taking it back in October of 18.

I took omeprazole for a long time and never had gas problems. Had to increase the dose from 20 mg to 40 mg then to 80 when symptoms would start to return. It finally quit working and I changed to Dexilant which worked fine but no insurance coverage so GI doc suggested trying the generic Nexium. The same thing has happened—it’s quit working at 80mg.
I will be having an upper endoscopy soon and then who knows?

You mentioned cutting back to every other day. Have you discussed this with your doctor? To keep a consistent level of the drug in your system, wouldn’t taking one 20 mg every day be better? Just a thought.

@lou_cards79 I have not had gas and/or pains from omeprazole, or any others. Initially did have some stomach problems from omeprazole so the doctor tried me on other PPIs but the omeprazole was the least bothersome. In time the problem went away.

I agree with @jackiem95 Check with your doctor of course, but it would be better to drop to 20 mg than to do 40 every other day I think. I started with 40 mg, and then after an initial period of time my dose was lowered to 20 mg, which is what I still take.
JK

@lou_cards79 gas wasnt a side affect for me. I have been on the med for probably 15 years. I have weaned myself to 40mg every third day with zantac as my in between when needed. Good luck and try to find a way off. My Dr told me Dementia is linked to this drug which is why he wants me off.

@kelandjim This is of great of interest to me since I take 20mg of omeprazole daily, and one of my greatest fears is Alzheimer’s or dementia. I googled and found a few articles that say the latest findings indicate that PPIs do not contribute to dementia. I sure hope they are correct.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/open-gently/201802/are-acid-reducers-increasing-dementia

JK

Be VERY careful about doing this, esp if you've been on it for a long time. I was on it for 10 years. I stopped it abruptly, asked my PCP of that was okay. After dismissing breath testing and not ever having heard of FODMAP, he said, "Sure! People go off and on it all the time." A month later I was on the ER. Although they did find diverticulosis, at the time, the ER doc said I should go back on the omeprazole. I did. Was better for a week, then back to the usual. By then, I finally had an appt with a GI doc recommended by Monash. We did blood & stool samples. Then we did the breath test, and I was diagnosed with SIBO. Did the 10-day horrific double-antibiotic thing. During that experience, my GI doc noted that omeprazole can actually cause SIBO and make the antibiotics ineffective. Honestly, she should have caught that from the get-go. But she had me switch from 40mg to one week of 20mg, then nothing. I do have more GERD now, but I drink a full glass of water to settle it. Sometimes I have to eat a banana or dairy-free pudding. Also, I make sure not to lie down for 30 min agree a meal.

I have been on omperzole for years myself. First after you take this pill you need to sit up straight for half hour. This pill is a wonder for me and I have to say I’ve never had an issue. I have never heard of this pill causing SIBO. Get clarification on that please.

@robini No one ever told me to sit up straight after taking my omeprazole! I take it with my other medications which I need to take about an hour before eating, so I get up an hour early, take my medications, and go back to bed for an hour. What is the restriction of sitting up for?
JK

Apparently sitting up after you take omperzole allows the fiunctions of the pill to absorb everything before you eat. I was also told not to take it with any other medication. I was doing that and I ended up in the ER
It’s up to you and your dr what you do but I will never mix meds again. I feel better for not mixing.
Every medication has its own effects.

Yes l have taken this med for along time and l was in question why? And Thank God l did but it takes along time. I had to change my eating habits and if l eat to late my acid reflux will act up a little. It use to be so bad l would have to take a pill even a pain pill. And couldn't sleep but now l will eat apple sauce or maybe Greek yogurt with fruit just to settle my stomach. And you have to eat small meals and light snacks. I don't drink a lot of water because it puts a lot of fluid on me and l have a liver issue. But one day l.wanted to drink a soda because l couldn't for months but just had a taste for one. And l was surprise l was able to drink a half a can. Now l may not have the taste for another one. But l find out when it starts l just need something creamy or smooth.